Is Pochettino delivering hope - or panic - to US after Gold Cup loss?

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It turned out to be one game too many for Mauricio Pochettino's United States, as a loss to Mexico in the Gold Cup final dashed their dreams of winning the trophy on home soil.

Pochettino’s tenure as head coach has been lacking in conviction, yet a hopeful journey in this summer's Gold Cup had begun to spark optimism.

Claiming victory against Mexico in the final held on Sunday would have not only secured a trophy but also initiated the establishment of essential confidence. However, that wasn't the outcome, as Mexico rallied to achieve a 2-1 victory.

This defeat will once again have fans pondering whether progress is being made ahead of next summer's World Cup to be hosted in their own country.

Pochettino, visibly upset after Guatemalan referee Mario Escobar Toca rejected a handball penalty claim, felt that the predominantly Mexican crowd of 70,000 at the NGR Stadium in Houston was against his team.

He remarked, "Mexico boasts a fantastic team with exceptional players and a competent coaching staff, but I want to highlight the significance of the fans in a soccer match.

"When the crowd is on your side, it revitalizes the players' energy on the pitch, and when they are not, it saps their energy, making it challenging.

"If we had had the majority of support today, the situation would have been different, but this is the reality we face. The truth is that if the roles were reversed, it would have definitely been called a penalty.

"Nonetheless, this Gold Cup provided us the opportunity to keep the players together for 40 days to establish our desired principles, which has been highly beneficial. Seeing players in tears after the loss was important; it pleases me because that is how this sport should be felt."

Pochettino's first 16 matches have yielded mixed results, revealing concerning inconsistencies. During this period, they have lost every match against teams ranked in FIFA's top 30.

At this point, the US should have clarity in their preparations for the 2026 tournament, but the foundation they have been building since Pochettino's arrival in September 2024 still feels unfinished and unstable.

Doubts were surfacing regarding the former Tottenham Hotspur and Paris St-Germain manager following back-to-back losses against Panama and Canada in the Nations League finals, as well as defeats to Turkey and Switzerland in the Gold Cup warm-up matches.

There has been a lack of reliability in both team selection and outcomes. The squad seems unsettled, with a different group of players being called in for each camp, a situation largely outside of Pochettino’s control.

Since his appointment 10 months ago, 55 players have represented the USA under the Argentine, complicating efforts to create momentum and team cohesion.

A positive Gold Cup – but did the US require additional support?

The Gold Cup serves as the equivalent of the Euros and Copa America for Concacaf.

Pochettino's team has had a strong campaign despite the absence of several key players. Their advancement to the final demonstrated that growth.

This has served as a unifying experience for the participating athletes, but it is probable that the lineup taking the field for their inaugural World Cup match in Inglewood next June will differ quite a bit.

Injuries, the Club World Cup, and player fatigue have left this roster lacking some well-known figures, including Antonee Robinson from Fulham, Weston McKennie and Timothy Weah from Juventus, AC Milan's Yunus Musah and Christian Pulisic, and Folarin Balogun from Monaco.

Pulisic's choice to skip the Gold Cup this summer to rest was especially contentious, particularly in light of preparations for next year's home World Cup.

The squad that Pochettino has been able to utilize has formed into a cohesive and effective team as the tournament has unfolded, showcasing unity and determination that have not been seen in the US group since he assumed the role.

While he may have preferred to cultivate this cohesion with his primary selection, it has nevertheless afforded him a valuable opportunity to evaluate secondary players under competitive, high-stakes conditions where a trophy is at stake.

Several players from this group have made compelling cases for spots on the 26-man roster for next summer.

Diego Luna has been recognized for a while as a talent who could bring something unique to the United States. The 21-year-old dynamic playmaker, who competes for Real Salt Lake in MLS, has emerged as one of the standout performers during the Gold Cup.

In goal, Matt Freese from New York City FC, which is affiliated with Manchester City, has been preferred over Nottingham Forest's Matt Turner throughout the tournament, and aside from one error against Haiti, he has made a strong case for World Cup consideration.

Freese's outstanding performance in the penalty shootout during the quarter-final against Costa Rica provided a highlight for him, significantly boosting his chances for a 2026 selection.

In addition, midfielder Jack McGlynn, who could have represented the Republic of Ireland, has demonstrated his abilities on an international level. Malik Tillman, linked with Bayer Leverkusen, has shone in a position just behind the striker, while Chris Richards from Crystal Palace has enhanced his chances for a starting centre-back position.

This Gold Cup has proven to be a valuable opportunity and a productive endeavor, yet there is a perspective that it could have achieved more.

Pochettino must soon transform this ongoing development into a fully optimized first-choice squad.

Gearing up for hosting

If the Club World Cup serves as an organizational rehearsal for the US, the Gold Cup acts as a preview of what the team will resemble as the host nation, pertaining to their playing style and the support they receive.

Analysis from the respected US publication Soccer America indicates that attendance during group matches has declined compared to previous years, but although this is disappointing, it does not necessarily forecast what will occur at the World Cup.

The conflict with the Club World Cup, the lack of well-known players, and concerns regarding ticket prices throughout the sport likely impacted attendance; however, both the semi-final held in St Louis against Guatemala and the final in Houston were fully booked.

Even though a large portion of Monday's audience consisted of Mexican supporters, the performance of the United States team and the ability to inspire fans to engage with their men's team leading up to 2026 is more significant for US soccer than just organizing the World Cup.

The Gold Cup has provided a boost for Pochettino and the USMNT, but following a loss, it's not hard to notice the return of pre-World Cup anxiety.